“Lying of any kind is ugly. Its abusive”
‘The Misanthrope‘ is the new adaptation of Molière’s classic 1666 comedy of the same name, now translated for a contemporary audience. We follow Alice, a fierce and high-minded novelist played by award-winner Sandra Oh. She dares to speak the unpopular, showing zero tolerance towards encouraging disingenuous behaviour. And yet, that exact integrity is what prevents her from being truly understood by others.
Indhu Rubasingham’s latest play wastes no time establishing this mission statement. During the first few minutes, we catch Alice berating her playwright best friend John (Paul Chahidi) over their opposing views on tolerating dishonesty. “It is not correct to say that everyone deserves respect,” Alice argues. “Let’s judge people”. John is a close foil, one who prefers to advocate for empathy. “People have different views,” he affirms. “It’s human”. Writer Martin Crimp employs
rhetoric of modern gender and internet politics throughout his screenplay. In doing so, our attention is directed to the brimming cynicism and mistrust from our protagonist.
Truth be told, I remain unfamiliar to the original work of Molière’s 17th-century classic that Rubasingham and Crimp are adapting here. The usual expectations that come with adaptations therefore did not influence my viewing. I can only imagine it did for informed theatre fans, because this is firmly a ‘reimagining’ rather than a straightforward retelling. Crimp’s creative liberties to gender-swap the leading misanthrope, alongside placing this story in the heart of modern-day debates are unmistakable changes, perhaps drastic to some. I am personally unable to contribute to the discourse of whether this succeeds as an updated portrayal of its source material. However, me being absolved from preconceptions helped me simply take in the weight of this material as its own entity.
Crimp’s take appears to be a gripping satire on performative behaviour, curated to be made relevant for 2026. We hear Alice give various monologues about this. How the social media age has distorted the realms of truth, fabricated to fit labels and enable the cacophony of online opinions. Our misanthrope is firm in her beliefs, and still struggles to be as certain in her relationships with the supporting cast. Her actor lover Stefan (Tom Mison) makes her bottle-up insecurities, which is only worsen after receiving a secret recording of him taken by his ex-wife Elaine (Jemima Rooper). Alice also faces online backlash when Esmée (Imogen Elliott) falsely accuses her of inappropriate behaviour following a rude encounter. Everyone is out to get her. Staged to the backdrop of rich furniture and grand room decorations, Robert Jones’s set direction constantly reminds us about the lingering elitism that actively shapes our characters’ decisions.
Lastly, I cannot go without highlighting the acting powerhouse that is Sandra Oh. Whether it be from Killing Eve or Greys Anatomy, we know how her presence can demand the screen. It should be no surprise that is to the same effect here in her UK stage debut. She is simply one of the best of her generation. Oh’s outstanding performance is fundamental in making Rubasingham’s play work in its construction. This is because it heavily revolves around witnessing first-hand the deep cynicism of its title character. “Self-destructive and misanthropic,” John says to describe Alice. A line of dialogue that encompasses the nature of our protagonist. Seeing her rip apart Esmée’s manuscript or erupt on Stefan after becoming suspicious of him cheating, are notable outbursts that solidifies Oh’s heavy lifting.
“I can no longer cope with the disinformation,” Alice declares in the final half. ‘The Misanthrope’ at its core is about the dilemma between courage and conformity. How far are we willing to stick to our truths in a corrupt society? If being so removed from the status-quo only burdens us, to what extent do we simply commit to norms? You leave the play with a lot to take in, and a lot to relate back for our current times. A thrilling theatrical experience without a doubt.
‘The Misanthrope‘ comes to cinemas from 22 September with National Theatre Live. Find your tickets at ntlive.com
